UCLan to host first International Veterans Conference outside of USA

International experts in military and veterans’ research to share findings

The first ever International Veterans Conference in Europe will be hosted by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in October.

This collaborative event will be delivered in partnership with the University of South Florida in the USA and will bring together international experts in military and veterans’ research, education, health and social care, and showcase advances in research designed to meet the needs of veterans and their families.

The conference will present new research into Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) as a new and innovative way of dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can be caused by traumatic and distressing events and can lead to flashbacks, insomnia and mood swings. According to NHS figures*, PTSD is estimated to affect about one in every three people who have a traumatic experience.

The event is particularly relevant to researchers, educators, clinical and welfare personnel involved in caring for military and veterans.

The event is particularly relevant to researchers, educators, clinical and welfare personnel involved in caring for military and veterans. These include nursing, mental health and primary healthcare clinicians, welfare and psychological support services personnel and veterans.

Professor of Nursing in the UK Armed Forces Colonel Alan Finnegan is one of the event’s key speakers. He commented: “This conference has been held in the USA on the last four occasions so it’s really exciting that we’re bringing it to not only the UK but to Europe for the first time.

“In addition to sharing the latest research into ART, we will explore the possible challenges facing tomorrow’s veterans, and the support available."

“In addition to sharing the latest research into ART, we will explore the possible challenges facing tomorrow’s veterans, the support available to veterans’ families and evaluate the role of the practitioners in supporting veterans’ health, education and research.”

The conference will be held on Friday 2 October at the Grange Hotel, Grange Over Sands, Cumbria. It will feature key speakers from more than a dozen universities, including UCLan Interim Vice Chancellor Professor Mike Thomas, the Department of Health, UK Armed Forces and the University of Florida.